The Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) plans to conduct a project examining the human rights needs of sex- and gender-diverse (SGD) people in Australia.

Following meetings with representatives from the SGD community, Commissioner Graeme Innes has written to key individuals and organisations, requesting their feedback on a paper compiled by HREOC regarding the issues SGD people face.

“We have assessed our resources and capabilities over the next six months and have identified capacity for a small to medium-scale project on these issues,” Innes said in the letter, seen by MCV.

The main issues HREOC has identified to date are official and identity documents, health policy, protection from discrimination, and education and awareness.

At this stage HREOC is not calling for input from the broader SGD community or its advocates on its issues paper. Instead, it wants feedback from selected organisations and individuals, including some medical professionals who work with SGD people.

Once this feedback has been received, HREOC will decide on which area or areas it can help with, and will then ask for comments from the general SGD community.

TransGender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner told MCV she was surprised this action was happening so quickly.

“To be honest, there was no signal, but I more than welcome it,” she said, adding that general documents need to be changed that respect gender identity, not sex, as per birth certificates; more funding is needed for counselling; and access to Medicare needed to be opened up.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Comment
Name
Email
Write the displayed characters
	Add Comment